“Open the door. If the hall is empty, I’ll take ye to the kitchens for some breakfast and then we’ll ride out to the ruins.”
Batting her eyes, she grinned. “No chaperone.”
“Ye forget, I have been watching ye for three years now. I know just what quick work ye make of chaperones.”
With a smirk, she opened the door and walked out.
Her dress twisted around her sated body, Cora curled up around her husband and sighed with pleasure. “Do you think we’ve made the wrong decision with Stephen?”
Beneath her, Alec growled. “I think if ye are thinking of Stephen and not of me, then I did something verra wrong. Perhaps we should try again.”
“Be serious,” she laughed as she propped herself up and stared down at the man she was so in love with. Their future was turning out to be everything she’d never thought she’d have for herself, and it was because of this incredibly wonderful and terrifying man. “I know that you’ve been sending him to watch over Lana.”
Alec immediately grimaced. “Do ye now?”
“I’m not angry. I know that you didn’t want me to worry and would have told me if something terrible was happening to her. I’m pleased that you love her like a sister as well, but I know that something happened between them. When Lana is here, she usually can’t stop looking at him, and now she’s here, all boldness and fire. I know the look in her eyes well.”
Gently easing her to the side, Alec rolled her over so that she was sprawled on the blanket beneath him. After two children, she’d been worried about the changes in her body and still being able to please him, but he’d run his hands over every curve, licked every stretch mark on her body, and had vibrated with pleasure.
“If Stephen had bedded her, he would have wed her. ’Tis as simple as that. I would not have sent any other man.”
“I am not saying it went that far, but Stephen looks at her too. It’s clear they love each other, but he’s never not gone after something he wanted. If he wants Lana, why doesn’t he court her? Perhaps we should not have set them up together.”
“Always overthinking things.” Lovingly, he brushed the hair from her face. “If he didn’t want to be with Lana, he would have let us send Jamie to watch over her.”
Desire bloomed inside of her, and she curved her leg up his. “He better make quick work because her parents will be demanding that we send her home soon.”
“I have no doubt that by tonight, the two of them will be inseparable. How about ye, my love? Are ye ready to go back to the keep?”
“One more,” she whispered as she pulled him in for a kiss.
“’Tis what ye said last time.”
“True, but this time I mean it.”
Epilogue
“So what are the ruins?” Lana asked as they rode along. After Stephen’s touch, her body was alert and all too aware of the distance between them, so she tried to cover her nervousness with questions.
“Ye have been asking to go to the ruins, and ye do not know what they are?”
No, she had no idea that there even were ruins on MacKay lands. Cora was obviously trying to help her plan along which was curious since Lana hadn’t even told Cora about her feelings for Stephen.
“I don’t know the details of them.”
“According to the MacKays, the ruins are from when the border between our world and the fairies’ world were thin, and mischievous fairies would cross over to wreak havoc on us mortals.”
Lord, did she love the sound of a thick Scottish accent. She almost sighed whenever he started talking. “Fairies? As in those little creatures with wings?”
“Nae. Powerful immortals, gods and goddesses of the old ways, who often intervened in the fates of man. The MacKays claim that centuries ago, the laird grew deeply and madly in love with a young maiden he’d found roaming the fields. She was beautiful and innocent and as sweet as the dew on the morning flowers.”
Lana rolled her eyes. “Of course she was. Because once a woman loses her innocence, she can hardly be beautiful and sweet.”
A deep chuckle rolled from his chest. “Hush, now lass, if ye want to hear the story. So he fell in love and married her, but the people were troubled because no one knew her, and the lass had no memory of her past. But for a whole year, they lived in wedded bliss, and then, on the evening of the anniversary, ominous clouds rolled over the full moon and blanketed the land in complete darkness, and when the laird woke, he saw that his wife was glowing like a beacon.”
“A fairy?”
“Aye, one cursed to roam in the mortal land until she’d experience true happiness for a year, and then her cruel fairy queen would yank it all away from her. Struck with her memories and her immortality, the wife knew that she could not stay in this land or those closest to her would go mad. So she kissed her husband goodbye, swore that she would love him all her days, and then she left, but the damage had been done for the laird howled in agony and spent every day of his life removing the stones of his keep, and swearing that if he had no home with her, then he would have no home at all.”
When he was finished, Lana stared at him, and then she threw her head back and laughed. “That is absolutely ridiculous! What really happened?”
“Most likely a battle, though I have explored the ruins once or twice. The stones that are still there were not broken with rams or scorched with fire. It does look as though it was taken apart by hand. They say that if ye cross the threshold with yer true love, then ye will grow as mad as the poor laird himself.”
“Tell me that you do not believe it!”
Stephen grinned and then shook his head. “Of course not, but ’tis a wild tale to tell travelers.”
They rounded the bend, and then he nodded his head. “There ye are. The ruins of the previous MacKay keep.”
It was a beautiful but haunting sight. No wonder the MacKays could spin such a tale. Although most of the morning mist had cleared, a strange fog still clung to the old stones. The winding staircase was still visible, and some of the inner walls were intact. Two of the towers still rose into the sky, but more than half of it was gone. As she rode closer, her breath caught in her throat.
Stephen was right. There was no obvious signs of damage. The exposed stones weren’t crumbling nor were there holes or uneven slopes. If she didn’t know this was a ruin, she would have simply thought that someone had started building it and stopped before they were finished.
“Amazing.” Stopping her horse, she quickly dismounted and hurried forward. “Is it safe?”
“Aye. Usually the place is crawling with children. I doona know why there is no one here now.”
His voice sounded distant, and she turned to see that he was still on his horse, a few feet away. “Stephen? Aren’t you coming to join me?”
“I have seen the ruins, lass. Ye can explore but be careful. I doona want to have to explain to Cora why ye turned yer ankle.”
Hoisting herself up on one of the lower walls, she sat so she could face him. The fact that he wasn’t going to join her had caught her interest. “Why did you kiss me?”
At first, he didn’t say anything. Just stared with that infuriating unreadable look on his face. Then he jumped down from the horse and slowly sauntered toward her.
Good. At least she had his attention now, although her heart rate was increasing with every step he took, and it would be embarrassing if she fainted before she got her answer.
“Why do ye think I kissed ye?”
“Boredom would be my first guess. If I had to guard a debutante during a season in London, I’d want a little excitement myself.”
Stopped a few feet away from her, he smiled faintly. “Ye think kissing ye was exciting?”
Oh, Lord. Embarrassment stained her cheeks, and reality slammed into her. “You don’t remember the kiss.”
“Yer hair was curled into a bun, much like all the other lasses, but yer tendrils kept escaping, and I longed to tuck them back into place just so I could touch ye.
Ye wore a powdered blue dress trimmed in pearls, and the cut was so low that I wanted to kill every man there who looked at ye. Ye kept tugging yer gloves off and scratching at yer skin, like they itched, and when ye wandered out into the gardens, ye looked absolutely miserable. And, since I am recalling that night, I’d like to point out that ye kissed me.”
Swallowing hard, she gripped the stone. Her whole body was heating up again, just like before. “Not like you kissed me.”
“No. That peck on the lips ye gave me was a tease, and one that I could not ignore. So I kissed ye. Perhaps it was a warning of what might happen if ye tried again. Perhaps it was an invitation. So, my sweet Lana, ’tis my turn to ask why ye kissed me.”
“When I first saw you, there was a bruise on your neck and another on your cheek, and your arm was in a sling. When I learned of what had happened to Cora, I realized that you’d fought, you’d risked your life, to save her. I’d never met anyone like that before.”
Stephen frowned. “We were injured. We all fought.”
“Yes, but when we first arrived, and you helped me down from the horse, there was something tender about you. I didn’t expect softness in a highlander, or even caring. You were kind and respectful.”
“Ye were a child,” he cut in. “And kin to our laird’s mistress. I acted no differently than anyone else, and if anyone treated you with disrespect, then ye will give me their names so I can end them.”
Stiffening, she stared at him. How dare he pretend that there was nothing between them? Nothing that had only blossomed more every time that she’d come back to visit. Looks that had matured as she’d gotten older, looks that had come to mean something. “Stephen Sinclair, you are a liar if you tell me that you don’t feel something toward me.”
“Lana…”
“No, I won’t have it. If you really don’t, if this is all in my head, then you come join me on this magical keep that drives lovers insane. Do it,” she challenged.
Shaking his head, he growled. “Fine.” And took a step.
And another.
Oh, what would she do if she was wrong? She’d gambled everyone on the idea that Stephen Sinclair loved her.
Another.
And another.
A lump formed in her throat. He was almost with her now. If she lost now, then she would never repair her heart. For years, she’d compared every man to Stephen, and none of them had even come close. There would be nothing for her.
Another.
And another.
And then, when he could reach out and touch the stone, he stopped. Closed his eyes.
And cursed.
Whooping with glee, she threw herself off the wall and into his arms, and he caught her with a grunt and fell backward, cushioning her fall as she sprawled out on top of him. Then she pressed her lips to his and opened for him, giving him absolutely everything he wanted to take.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he rolled them over until he was wedged between her legs, his body hard against hers, and his tongue plundered against hers, taking everything and giving only pleasure. Seconds passed that could have turned into days. All she cared about was that he was finally kissing her again.
Eventually, he broke off with a groan and rested his forehead against hers. “Maybe the legend is wrong. I didn’t cross the threshold, and I am already mad. I do love ye, Lana Thistle. For years, I have loved ye.”
“Then why haven’t you said anything?” She curved her hand over his cheek. “Why have you watched me dance with other men and waste away from this maddening idea that we were meant to be together?”
“Because I have little more than a cottage in the harsh Highlands. Ye deserve a mansion. An estate with a title and wealth beyond yer dreams. Ye deserve silk and sweets and dancing.”
“Silk makes my skin itch. Sweets make me fat, and as I am sure you have seen by now, I am a terrible dancer. I don’t want any of those things, and I hate that you tried to make that decision for me. I love you, Stephen, and you made me come all the way out here to have you. Now, what do you plan to do about it?”
“I suppose I will write to yer father and give him a chance to shoot me, and if he doesnae, then I will wed ye.”
“For a whole month, my father has been speaking of nothing but the Highlands and how we should come visit. And what a nice young man he thinks you are. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was goading me. Of course, he’ll be furious that I came out here alone.”
Stephen snorted. “Aye, although I may not last that long. Alec might still kill me.”
Lana rolled her eyes. “Stephen, you really don’t understand, do you? I didn’t even know there were ruins here.”
His eyes widened. “You didn’t?”
“No, so why don’t you quit fighting this and just kiss me again. Like it or not, I am yours, and no one is going to stand in your way.”
“Mine, huh?” He grinned. “Aye, I like that very much.”
And then he leaned down and kissed her.
Highlander’s Moonlight Seduction
Prologue
Sunshine bathed the rolling fields of heather as Moira bent down to pick more for her bouquet. It was the perfect day for wool-gathering in the fields. It was still early enough in the morning that the land around the keep was quiet, more so than usual. The festivities last night had left most people, herself included, still sleepy as everyone began their morning chores.
Moira still couldn’t believe that so many Sinclairs had gathered to celebrate her birthday. For as long as she could remember, the Hamilton clan had been at war with one clan or another, so it was rare that anyone remembered her birthday let alone celebrated it. It wasn’t that her family didn’t love her. From the letters, she knew her parents missed her dearly. When someone had attempted to kidnap her and use her as a pawn in an already deadly war, her parents had sent her to the Sinclairs for safekeeping.
At first, she’d been terrified to be so far away from everything that she’d known, but the Sinclair laird was a quiet man with a calm disposition. His daughter, Grace, only a few years younger than Moira’s sixteen, had helped her assimilate, even at times corrupting Moira with her fierce need to wield a sword. His youngest son, Alec, a few years older than her, was a flirt with a winning smile and a playful nature, and he helped her feel like part of the family.
But it was Connor, the eldest son and heir to the lairdship, that was the first thing on her mind when she woke up in the morning and the last thing on her mind before she fell asleep. She felt a strange tug whenever she laid eyes on him. The spitting image of his father, Connor, like his brother, had dark hair, but not very long, that whipped around his face when the Highland winds blew, and green eyes that sparkled with intelligence. With a broad face, strong jawline, and high cheekbones, he was far more mature than most of the men—make that boys—that she was used to, and his mind always seemed to be working. He chose his words carefully, so when he told her how much she meant to him, she believed it.
Connor would never lie or speak flippantly. They were meant to be together, and because the Hamiltons and Sinclairs were allies, she knew their parents would not object.
Straightening, she fastened her bouquet together with some twine. At her back, she felt the intensity of his stare and knew he was watching her, but he hadn’t said anything, so she didn’t interrupt whatever he was doing. When she finished her bouquet for Connor’s mother, she started one for Grace. It wasn’t until she had nearly finished that he spoke. “I expected ye to be in bed ’til noon after last night’s festivities.”
“I am not one to languish in bed,” she informed him as she turned. As always, the sight of him made her catch her breath. “Yer mother and sister hosted a wonderful party in my honor, and I wanted to show my thanks.”
“My mother enjoys a festivity. That in itself is thanks enough. And my sister, well, anything that will get her to stay in her dress and not wear trousers is thanks enough for all of us,” he said with a wry grin. “I did not
get to see much of ye last night.”
It was true. Alec and his friends made her dance and dance until her feet ached and her body was exhausted, although she had loved every minute of it. Connor had snagged her for a few dances before his father had called him away. She still remembered the way he had smiled when he held her hands as they danced around the large bonfire lighting up the night.
“Ye and yer father were gone most of the evening. Was everything all right?” After the festivities, she had foolishly waited by one of the secret entrances to the keep. Connor had shown them to her not long after she had come to stay with them, and it was in the privacy of those tunnels that their romance had blossomed. She had hoped more than anything that now that she was sixteen, he might finally kiss her, but he’d never showed up, and when she could barely keep her eyes open, she had finally gone to bed.
“Everything is fine. There was something that he wanted to give me.” Walking slowly through the flowers, he approached her. “Something for me to give to ye.”
Rooted to the spot, her heart hammered in her chest. “A birthday present?” she asked as she clutched at the flowers in her hand.
“Aye, but something that will last the rest of yer life.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a silver chain that glinted in the sun. At the end was a small round pendant with a seal etched onto the scarred silver. Two swords crossing over a shield and a stag. Protection and strength.
The Sinclair clan seal.
Unable to speak or even move, she just stared wordlessly at him. A similar pendant hung around his mother’s neck. Could it be?
“From the time I first understood what a union between a man and a woman meant, I learned that I would marry for politics. I watched my friends search for something more, but I wasnae jealous when they found it. There was no reason for me to hope for more until I met ye. My parents and yer parents have consented to a union between us, to strengthen our clans, but Moira, I come here today for yer consent, as a man willing to give himself over completely to the lass who has invaded his mind, body, and heart.”
Highlands’ Forbidden Deeds Page 18
